A 62-year-old Dadeville man was arrested in connection with the poisoning of the historic Toomer’s Corner oak trees at Auburn University, the scene of celebrations after Auburn’s sports victories.

Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson said Harvey Almorn Updyke Jr. was arrested at the police station at 1:26 a.m. Thursday and was charged with one count of criminal mischief first degree. If convicted, Updyke could face one to 10 years in prison.

NFL: Peyton could get 6-year deal

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he is willing to sign quarterback Peyton Manning to a five-year or six-year deal and remains confident he can reach an agreement. Manning turns 35 next month. During a hastily called news conference, Irsay said he has made Manning an offer worth more than Tom Brady (four-year, $72 million).

* The Raiders officially announced that they have signed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour to a two-year, $30 million contract that includes $22.5 million in guaranteed money.

HOOPS: Rose’s 42 spark Bulls

In Chicago, Derrick Rose had a career-high 42 points and the Bulls headed into the All-Star break with an impressive 109-99 victory over the NBA-leading Spurs.

Before the game, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said Tim Duncan will replace injured Yao Ming in the Western Conference’s starting lineup for Sunday’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old Duncan will make his 12th consecutive All-Star start despite averaging a career-low 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds.

Pennsylvania billionaire Terry Pegula is scheduled to take control as owner of the Sabres next week, a person familiar with the franchise’s sale said. Outgoing Sabres owner Tom Golisano agreed to sell the sell the franchise to Pegula for $189 million. As part of the deal, Pegula has committed to keeping the franchise in Buffalo.

* NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he will not get into a public debate with Mario Lemieux over league discipline. Lemieux, the Penguins owner, recently said the NHL failed in its punishment of the Islanders following a fight-filled game between the teams last Friday.

* Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was undergoing tests after being hospitalized early Wednesday with an undisclosed ailment.

ETC.: Ex-Mets manager dead

Former Mets manager Joe Frazier, who led the team for just one full season before it went into a sharp decline, has died. He was 88. Frazier’s wife, Jean, said that her husband died Tuesday of a massive heart attack in Broken Arrow, Okla., where he was a longtime resident.

* Jeff Burton won the second Daytona 500 qualifying race by beating teammate Clint Bowyer to the finish line. Kurt Busch won the first of the qualifying races, which set the field for the Daytona 500.

Brad Keselowski also pushed his unheralded older brother, Brian, through the field and into a transfer spot that earned him his first spot in the Daytona 500.

* Andy Roddick will be part of the U.S. Davis Cup team for the first time in two years when it plays at Chile next month.